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(No Model.)

I. M. SHEPARD.

RUBBER SHOE.

No. 298,419. Patented May 13, 1884.

N. PEIERS, Puma-m rmur. Wahingmn. D.C

STATES ATENT Fries.

RUBBER SHOE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 298,419, dated May 13, 1884.

Application filed March 25, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDERICK M. SHEP- ARD, of East Orange, Essex county, State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Rubber Shoe, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention has reference to the construction of a rubber shoe which, though applicable to general use, is designed more particularly for the use of lumbermen, to be drawn over the felt boots usually worn by them. These felt boots, while Very thick and warm, are not water-proof.

The object of the invention is to make a high-quarter shoe which shall be water-proof to its top, and which at the same time is so constructed that it can be readily drawn on and off, but will not be liable to slip off accidentally. To secure these objects, the shoe, which extends up to or slightly beyond the ankle, is made with a perfectly homogeneous quarter and vamp, so as to be equally waterproof at every point. It is made of elastic rubber and lined with stockinet, so as to be capable of sufficient stretching to admit the foot. By means of a single lug or projection at the back and near the ankle-opening, a shoe so constructed can readily be drawn on overthe felt boot upon which it is designed to be worn.

High-quarter overshoes have been made heretofore with tops partly of cloth, having a slit to admit the foot, which slit is closed by a flap. Such shoes, besides being expensive, are water-proof only as far as the rubber extends. Highquarter overshoes have been made entirely of rubber; but special constructions have been found necessary in order to enable the shoe to be drawn on. For example, a high-quarter shoe has been made with crimps or corrugations extending down the front and sides, which enable the shoe to be greatly enlarged when it is to be drawn on and off. Such shoes do not fit closely to the foot, and after short use the crimps or corrugations lose their shape to a greater or less extent, rendering the shoe unfit for wear. Other highquarter shoes made entirely of rubber have been formed at the sides with folds which open to admit the foot, and are secured by straps or otherwise when the shoe is Worn. This construction is expensive, necessitating great waste of material. It is uncomfortable in use, not affording a neat and close fit, and is, moreover, inapplicable to a stout, heavy shoe such as is the object of the present invention to produce, since the folds make three thicknesses of the material at the sides.

In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification, a shoe constructed in accordance with the invention is shown in perspective. The upper a is extended to or slightly beyond the ankle, and is made entirely of homogeneous rubberi. e., rubber having the same texture throughout. The rubber is elastic and the lining is of stockinet, so that the shoe can stretch sufficiently to admit the foot and inner shoe of the wearer. When in place, it fits snugly to the said inner shoe.

To enable the shoe to be drawn on, I provide, integral with the body of the upper, a lug or projection, I), placed at the back of the upper and near the top. This lug or projection may be made in any of the ways described in patent of W. G. Vermilye, No. 247,136, dated September 13, 1881, or in any other suitable way. The upper is strengthened by a number of strips or ribs, 0, running from the sides and toe toward the ankle-opening, and terminating at the cross-strip d, which extends across the instep from side to side of the shoe. These strips may be otherwise disposed, if desired. Their lower ends are extended down to the edge of the upper, and the sole 6 of the shoe is turned up and overlaps these strips, as shown.

The shoe thus constructed is of great strength and durability. Since the quarter and vamp are made of the same material throughout, the shoe is easily made and at comparatively small cost. I It avoids the disadvantages attending high-quarter rubber shoes as heretofore constructed. It fits the foot closely, and, though entirely water-proof to and beyond the ankle, it requires no special contrivances for admitting the foot, or fastening means to secure it in place, but can, by means of the lug or projection b, be quickly and easily put on.

I claim- 1. Ahigh-quarter rubber shoe having an In testimony whereof I have. signed this elastic homogeneous quarter and vamp, prospecification in the presence of two subscribing vided at the rear, near the ankle-opening, with Witnesses.

a lug orprojeotion, substantially as described.

5 2. A high-quarter rubber shoe having an FREDERICK M. SHEPARD.

elastic homogeneous upper provided with strengthening ribs or strips extending to the \Vitnesses:

edge of said upper, and having the sole over- F. M. SHEPARD, Jr, lapping the ends of these ribs or strips, sub- N. T. SMITH. IO stantially as described. 

